Fiore-Buckley Funeral Home funeral directors and staff from left to right are Kenneth J. Rau, John Gizzi, Michele Samaha Daly, Diane-Lauren Fiore, Bruce Hlatky, Fred Fiore, Jr., Matthew A. Fiore, Richard K. Buckley, Margaret Buckley, Alphonso Squillante, Catherine Buckley and Alan Dowling.
By ED SALVAS
The Buckley Funeral Home in Asbury Park has closed and owner Richard Buckley has joined the family-owned Fiore Funeral Home in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township which has been re-named Fiore-Buckley Funeral Home.
The landmark Buckley Funeral Home, with its stately white columns at 509 Second Ave. has been sold to a group that plans to return the home, built in 1905, back into a single-family residence. Richard Buckley and his brother Dennis, who died in 2019, operated the home since 1975. Their reputation in the community was a major incentive for Fred Fiore to continue the family-owned tradition and bring Richard Buckley into the Fiore family business.
The Buckley Funeral Home was founded by their father James Buckley on Seventh Avenue in Asbury Park and moved to Second Avenue in 1955. The building has 19 rooms, and a full basement and many fixtures from the early 1900’s, including several stained glass windows that could be authentic Tiffany windows, but the origin can’t be officially confirmed.
The funeral business has undergone many changes in recent years, especially after the pandemic, and now there are more cremations taking place, according to Fred Fiore, who said that has cut down on visitations with families opting instead for memorial services.
Restoration is already underway inside 509 Second Ave., according to Jon Biondo, who purchased the home and intends to return it to single family:
“We want to keep the historical charm but add some modern touches.” he said. There could also be a pool behind the house on what is now a parking lot. Biondo plans to move in to the restored home but says it could take one to to years to complete the job
This is not Biondo’s first funeral home restoration in Asbury Park. He and his associates purchased the former Francioni Taylor and Lopez Home on Seventh Avenue several years ago and have since sold it. Biondo currently lives in Wall Township. His partners in the restoration are Tim Horman, Ryan Coutu and Colin DeLucca.
While not being superstitious, Biondo said they did have a Smudge Party with sage to rid the house of any and all spirits after decades as a funeral home.
